The Prince Returns

Chapter Twelve

That night, Harry had dinner at the Prince house. It was the first time he had been in the presence of Richard Prince since it happened. Every time he looked at Richard, or heard Richard's voice, he went back to that time in the masterbedroom, when Richard killed Pettigrew. Harry had no idea someone was capable of such rage and such physical strength. He couldn't believe that the man in front of him, quietly eating his dinner in such a serene manner, was capable of such horror.

Harry was very surprised by how cheerful the Order was. Despite the attack and losing several of its members, everyone seemed almost happy, excited. However, the guards that roamed the estate were hard to miss, they were not exactly inconspicuous. Harry saw several of the adults cast mistrusting glances to them. Once Harry was inside and had looked around the house a little bit, he saw that there were indeed several changes. To begin with, the Ministry was everywhere. Ministry officials were constantly stopping by, including Fudge himself. There were several new gadgets and supplies that the Ministry had supplied. Regan later explained to Harry that the Ministry was giving a lot of money to the Order.

Also, there were several more people in the Order, most of which were temporarily living at the Prince home. A guest house had been quickly built on part of the estate. It housed Order members as well as several witches and wizards who were not part of the Order. Harry found out, again from Regan, that they were giving money to the Order as donations to stay on the Prince estate. They felt better there because of all the guards and defensive charms. The Prince house had much more security than it had previously had.

Harry was surprised to see several of his teachers at the Prince house. Apparently, they had come directly from Hogwarts. Several, like McGonagall and Flitwick, were joining those living at the Prince house, for the summer. Others, like Snape, only visited occasionally, though Snape did it to keep his masquerade as a Death Eater going. The house had an air of urgency about it that Harry had never felt before.

"Are they making much progress?" Harry asked Regan after dinner. Harry, Ron, and Regan had retired to her bedroom. Regan was lounged on her bed, flipping through a magazine. Ron was collapsed on chair. Harry couldn't help but notice how comfortable Ron was in Regan's pink and green bedroom. He wondered just what the two of them had been doing over the past few months. He refused to believe that they had become friends so easily. Harry, after a little debate, sat on the window seat.

"Kind of," Regan said, not looking up from her magazine. "A lot of them are still recruiting new members, getting the word out, as if there is a single witch or wizard alive that didn't hear about the attacks. It's been all over the news. Even the Muggle news, though disguised. A lot of other members are working on defensive spells, for individuals as well as the house. Others are just going over the same information, looking closer at the attack."

"Do they know what Malfoy and Voldemort were doing in your father's library?" Harry asked. Regan shrugged.

"Dad doesn't know. He said that there aren't any books in there they would be interested in. Any of the Dark Magic objects that he has in there Malfoy could easily get at Knockturn Alley, if he doesn't already have them."

"Maybe they were looking for something else, they just don't know what it is," Harry suggested. Regan shrugged. "Remus thinks we should look into it."

"I'm sure we will," Regan said. "But finishing all that homework was exhausting. I would like to have a few days of rest first. I figure that we will be covering every inch of that library once Hermione gets here."

Harry had to laugh. He had been thinking the exact same thing. From the look on Ron's face, Harry thought he was too. Just then, a beautiful white owl appeared at Regan's window. Harry raised his eyebrows at Regan. Harry noticed Ron scowling from his seat across the room.

"It's Loki. Let him in," Regan said. Harry opened the window and the bird flew straight to Regan. She untied the parchment from its leg. The bird then flew to Regan's desk and sat there, waiting for a reply.

"Did I miss something?" Harry demanded.

"It's Draco's owl," Ron said, grimacing. Regan rolled her eyes at Ron.

"Grow up," she muttered.

"Just read the damn note so that that bloody owl can leave," Ron said. "I can't wait for Hermione to get here." Ron proceeded to stare out the window with a dreamy look in his eyes, as if he needed a subject change desperately. Harry turned back to Regan. She had finished the letter and moved to her desk to write a reply. A minute later, she tied her note to Loki and sent the owl off. Harry suddenly wanted to read the note she had sent him. He couldn't help but notice the length of Malfoy's letter. It went on for nearly a foot. "What was that about?" Ron asked lazily, obviously not caring.

"Don't worry about it," Regan said harshly, suddenly upset.

"What's wrong with poor Draco?" Ron pushed, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Shut up, Ron. You don't know anything," she replied. Harry was surprised at how quickly her mood had changed. He wanted to read the note that Draco had sent her. What could he have said that upset her? Harry knew Malfoy. It was easy for him to upset people with his insults and arrogance, but Regan didn't seem to be upset with Malfoy. On the contrary, she seemed to be upset for Malfoy.

"What happened?" Harry asked with sincerity.

"Nothing. I don't want to talk about it," she said. Harry and Ron continued to stare at her. She sighed in defeat. "His father was upset with him. That's all."

"Why? Didn't kill any Muggles on his way home?" Ron asked. Regan gave him a look of such distaste that he was quiet, regretting his words.

"You can leave now," she said coldly.

"Sorry Regan, but I've known Malfoy for years, and I just don't have that much sympathy for him," Ron said, which seemed to pacify her.

"Okay. I guess you're right. He wasn't the nicest guy earlier this year," she said, a far-off look in her eyes. Harry wondered what she was thinking. "I don't know, but I've really gotten to talk to him lately. In a way that I don't think either one of you have. Don't worry, I'm not telling him anything about the Order. I'm fully aware of who his father is, but Draco's visiting."

"When?" Harry said, nonplused. Ron did not seem to be affected by the words. Harry realized that this was old news for Ron.

"Next week."

"Do you think it's safe for him to visit?" Harry asked. Ron rolled his eyes. He must have had a similar conversation with Regan when he found out.

"Of course it's safe Harry. Lucius Malfoy and Voldemort himself were in this very house only a few months ago. It's common knowledge that this is Order Central. What is Draco supposed to do? Take pictures of where we hide the food so that Voldemort can cut off our supplies? Please Harry, you're almost as bad as Ron," Regan said. "Look, it's getting late. It's a full moon. I've got to go fix Remus's potion and set up the basement for him."

"The basement?" Harry asked. Again, Ron looked like this was old news. Harry wondered, again, just how much he had missed.

"Yes. There are a few cages set up down there."

"Cages?"

"Yes. Apparently, the previous owner liked to capture magical creatures or something. In April, they actually used it to trap a few Death Eaters while the others were taken to the Ministry. The cages are perfect for Remus when he's a werewolf. They're fairly large, so he has plenty of room to run around. He can't hurt himself. Dad or someone usually shoves a few rabbits or something in his cage so he has food as well as the entertainment of catching them."

"Be careful though, Harry," Ron interrupted. "The basement isn't entirely sound proof. Don't be surprised if you wake up in the middle of the night and hear some monster crashing about in the basement."

"He's not that bad, Ron," Regan said. She got up to leave. "I'll be back. Don't touch anything."

Once Regan was gone, Harry hurried to her desk, searching for Malfoy's letter. "What are you doing?" Ron asked.

"Looking for that letter. I want to know what it says."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ron warned. Harry stopped.

"Why not?"

"Her desk is bewitched. Everything on and in it is private. You touch it, she'll know. Trust me. I've learned from experience. I came in here earlier this month for help on a Potions essay, but she wasn't here. Then I saw the essay, just laying on her desk. I just read it for ideas. I didn't copy it or anything. Anyway, 'bout an hour later, she ran into my room, screaming like a lunatic. I don't go anywhere near that desk any more. She's psycho, that one is." Ron said, shuddering at the memory. That was enough for Harry. He quickly left her desk.

"I can't believe she's friends with Malfoy," Harry said, returning to the window seat.

"Are you jealous?" Ron asked, a grin spreading across his face. "I never thought I'd see the day when you were jealous of him."

"Neither did I."

"But I warned you, didn't I? Rich snobs stick together."

"She's not that bad. And Malfoy has been nice to us since Christmas. Well, not nice, but ..I don't know.." Harry struggled for the right word.

"Ignored us completely?" Ron offered.

"Yeah. That's it. No more comments or insults. Maybe he's dying....." Harry said, remembering how upset Regan was after reading the note.

"I don't think we're that lucky," Ron said. "Anyway, he'll only be here for the afternoon. Other than that, you'll just see his owl around here every once in a while. Plus, Hermione will be here in just a few days. That'll make a big difference."

"Yes. That will help. Not only will I have to put up with Malfoy, but I'll also have to watch you and Hermione snog 24/7. Lucky me."

"I don't think there will be much snogging," Ron said gloomily. "Hermione will probably not leave the library."

****

The next day, Richard stood in his kitchen, watching his daughter and her friends outside. They were swimming in the pool. They looked so happy. Richard was glad Regan had her friends. The first week or so after Laura's death, he had been afraid Regan would never be herself again. He still caught the sadness in her daughter's eyes, but she was smiling again, she was almost herself again. Richard tried to tell himself that it was all worth it, that soon they would conquer Voldemort. His wife's death would be worth it. Richard would make sure Voldemort died. He would make sure that Voldemort would never be coming back. He would not rely on the power of a one year old boy.

Richard involuntarily went back to that day. He remembered seeing Lucius, his wand suddenly a million miles away. He remembered the sudden wave of Death Eaters entering his home, him powerless to stop it. He remembered the Cruciatus curse coursing through his body, Lucius Malfoy looking down at him with a sinister smile. He remembered trying to warn the others, but they were all outside, oblivious to what was happening. He remembered watching his friends, his colleagues, killed, their screams filling his head, filling the world. He remembered the bodies piling on top of each other. He remembered seeing Voldemort for the first time, his snakelike eyes. He remembered chasing Pettigrew into his bedroom, Laura upstairs, asleep, no idea what was going on. He remembered seeing his wife, cowering in the corner, terrified. He remembered seeing the children enter the room. He remembered wishing they were anywhere but there. He remembered watching his wife die. He remembered being powerless. He remembered his anger, he remembered how good it felt to have Peter Pettigrew, his wife's murderer, in his hands, to take the life out of him. He remembered the emptiness he felt upon seeing his lifeless wife and his heartbroken daughter. He remembered the feeling of helplessness, the feeling of utter despair. He remembered holding his daughter, wondering how they would ever be able to live again in a world without Laura.

Richard did not want to remember any of it. He wanted to go back a year and tell Remus know, he would not return to England. But he had told Remus yes and they had returned to England. Once in England, his wife, as long with several friends, had died. His son had abandoned his family for the Dark Side. His daughter had a sadness in her eyes that Richard doubted would ever leave. Richard had an anger inside him, a deep rage that he doubted would ever leave. Richard thought that maybe he could get use to that rage. He could make room for it. Richard knew that he would seek revenge on whoever did this to his family.

****

Ron had never been swimming before, and he had to admit, he enjoyed it. There were several different games that they were able to play in the water, like volleyball and Marco Polo, and Harry and Regan were trying to teach him how to swim. Ron, however,kept letting his thought gets to him. He would be enjoying himself, and then he would think of his mother. It would be a simple memory, like her smile, or a dress that she always wore. Then it would suddenly dawn on him that she was gone. His mother was dead. Forever. He would try to continue on in whatever he was doing, but he knew from the look on Harry's and Regan's faces that they had seen him falter.

Ron wished that he could be more like Regan. She had mourned with her father for a few days, then she seemed all right. Every once in a while, he would catch her crying, during those first few weeks. She seemed so much more ready to handle a world without her mother. Ron didn't think he was ready for the war. He didn't know what he would do if anyone else close to him died. He couldn't imagine a world without both his parents or any one of his brothers or Ginny.

Regan snapped him out of his reverie, returning him to the swimming pool. He smiled at her. "Sorry about that," he mumbled. Harry and Regan exchanged a glance. They knew that Ron had been thinking about his mother. "I'm fine guys. Really," he assured them. "Let's swim. Now, how do you do the breast stroke again?" he asked, a fake smile on his face. Regan sighed and went through the steps with him again.

****

After swimming, the three went inside and changed. They met up again in the living room, dry and out of their swimming clothes. Two owls were waiting for them, one from Draco, one from Hermione. Regan and Ron took their respective owls. After reading them quickly, they went to their rooms to write replies. Harry sat on an armchair, feeling left out. He had not received any owls. Of course, he wouldn't know who he had to receive an owl from. He looked to the window, where the two owls were waiting for replies. Even Malfoy's owl seemed to mock Harry.

Harry had only been at the Prince house a day and already he was surprised. He was glad no one blamed him. He was glad Ron and Regan were happy again. But he didn't like how cheerful the Order seemed. Everyone seemed so optimistic. Harry didn't understand. They had seen Voldemort in power before. They knew what he was capable of. What destruction he could bring about. Yet they all seemed so calm.

Just then, Remus joined him. "Sickle for your thoughts, Harry," the older man said, sitting in a chair across from Harry.

"I'm just surprised."

"Why?"

"Everyone here seems so happy. After the attack, I thought that they would..." He searched for the right words.

"Worried?" Remus offered.

"Yes. Worried. Doesn't the Order realize that Voldemort is back and how powerful he is?"

"Yes. Of course we realize that Harry. The problem is that everyone else in the wizarding world also realizes that now. Everyone else is terrified, including people at the Ministry. It's the Order's job to assure people. We are here to fight Voldemort. If we start running around, declaring the end of the world, the entire wizarding community would be very upset. Do not be fooled, Harry. We realize that Voldemort is back and what he is capable of. We are frightened of him, but we aren't going to let that interfere with our jobs. Understand?"

"Yes," Harry mumbled, feeling stupid.

"What was it you wanted to tell me about?" Remus asked.

"Oh, it was nothing," Harry said, reluctant to discuss his scar.

"Harry," Remus said. "You can tell me anything."

"Not now. Regan and Ron will be back any minute."

As if on cue, Regan and Ron came downstairs. They tied their replies onto the owls, which then flew off. "I just talked to Tonks," Regan said. "She's going to Diagon Alley. I haven't been shopping in ages. Do you want to go?"

Harry smiled. She hadn't changed much. Neither had Ron.

"You just want to meet Malfoy. I bet that's what his letter was all about. Some secret meeting," Ron said. Regan rolled her eyes.

"Draco won't be in Diagon Alley today. Satisfied?"

"Nope. He'll probably be in Knockturn Alley," Ron mumbled. Harry smiled; he had missed his friends.

"We'll go," Harry said before Regan had a chance to reply.

****

Because of the recent Voldemort scare, several stores were no longer linked to Floo Network. The Prince house itself was on the Floo Network, but only linked to a very private fireplace at the Ministry, Hogwarts, and the Leaky Cauldron. Therefore, Tonks and the three teenagers had to Floo to Leaky Cauldron and then walk to Diagon Alley. Surprisingly, the Leaky Cauldron was nearly empty. It was usually filled with different witches, wizards, and other assorted creatures. "Where is everyone?" Harry asked.

"Wait till you see Diagon Alley," Tonks replied. She tapped the stone wall and the entrance revealed itself. The four entered Diagon Alley. Harry, Ron, and Regan gaped in surprise. Diagon Alley was usually filled with different people, filled with activity. There was a hectic atmosphere as everyone crowded together in the small shops. However, Diagon Alley appeared to be completely deserted. Not on soul was to be found along the center street. The shops were dark and appeared to be empty as well.

"Is anything opened?" Ron asked. Regan shivered involuntarily and wrapped her arms around herself. The place seemed so bleak.

"Everything is opened. People just aren't as ready to go shopping, go out in public. They're afraid that they'll be attacked on the street by You-Know-Who. The whole thing is stupid, really," Tonks said. Harry didn't think it was so stupid. He suddenly felt very paranoid, looking round as if a Death Eater might appear at any moment. "I have errands to run. It shouldn't take more than an hour or so. Meet me back here then, though I don't think that I'll have any problem finding you, not in this crowd." With that, she was off.

"Where to?" Harry asked, his voice sounding odd in the quiet area.

"I was going to shop for new robes, but it doesn't seem worth it," Regan said as the atmosphere began to affect her mood. Ron looked equally sorrow.

"C'mon guys. Regan, this is a shopping area, where you can spend money," Harry said in an attempt to lighten the mood. It worked. Both Ron and Regan laughed, though Regan tried to look offended. "Let's go check out the Quidditch shop."

The three made their way to the shop. Along the way, they looked into some of the shops. There were one or two customers in the entire alley, with a clerk in each store who looked very uncomfortable. Inside the Quidditch shop, a single clerk was setting up a display. He looked up, startled, when the trio walked in. He was the only person in the shop. He went back to his display case when the trio began looking at brooms, but he kept an eye on them.

They wandered around the Quidditch store for about twenty minutes. By then, the shop keeper was starting to give them dirty looks. They exited the shop and continued walking. "Where to now?" Harry asked.

"Isn't that Fred and George?" Regan interrupted, pointing along the street. Indeed, Fred and George were just leaving a store up ahead.

"Hey! Fred! George!" Ron called out. In the quiet of Diagon Alley, Ron didn't have to yell very loudly for them to hear. The twins stopped and turned to stare at them. They looked slightly embarrassed. "What's up?" George asked as they joined together. They walked to a nearby restaurant and sat down in one of the outside tables.

"Tonks was going shopping and we needed something to do," Regan said with a shrug. "What are you doing?"

The twins looked at each other sheepishly before pulling out of their bag several pieces of parchment and placing them on the table.

"Job hunting," they said in unison, pointing at the job applications.

"Why?" Ron asked, shocked. "The joke stuff was doing really good."

"Doing really well," Regan corrected.

"It wasn't doing that well," Fred said.

"Mom was always after us to get a real job, and now we are. For her," George said. It was the first time that Harry had ever seen the twins serious.

"You guys can't give up!" Regan exclaimed. All four boys turned to her, surprised by her outburst. "I know that the joke stuff is doing really well. Remember earlier this year, when you went to my dad for advice? You showed him the numbers. And, for your future information, never tell my dad something you don't want me to know. If you had an actual store, a maybe better advertising, your joke shop could be making a lot of money. A Hell of a lot more money than any of those jobs," she said, nodding to the job applications.

"How do you know?" Ron asked skeptically.

"My father is a great businessman, and he taught me well," she said proudly, if not a little arrogantly.

"Correction: the numbers were good," Fred said gloomily.

"Lately, no one is interested in buying our stuff," George finished. The deserted Diagon Alley only severed as proof.

"The economy's bound to be bad," Regan said. "We're at the beginning of a war. I still think you should go ahead with your joke shop. I wouldn't open an actual store until the economy's back up, but you could increase your advertisement. Maybe hand out catalogues. Someone will always need a laugh."

"Where are we supposed to get that kind of money?" Fred asked, though he seemed encouraged by Regan.

"We've went through all the money we got from-" George stopped when Harry gave him a warning look, which no one else noticed. No one except the twins knew that Harry had given them his winnings from the Triwizard Tournament and he wanted to keep it that way. Instead, "from before," George finished lamely.

"I'll give you the money," Regan said without hesitation.

"What? Why?" the twins said together.

"To begin with, it will give you two something to do. Get you out of my father's hair. Also, the war isn't a threat in America yet. I know plenty of kids back in New York who would love this stuff. Also, by giving you money, I'm in the company."

"No. No way," the twins said with determination.

"This is our company. We aren't letting you in," George continued. Regan sighed; she had expected resistance.

"Don't be ridiculous. It would still be your company. You would still run the company. Everything would be done your way. I would just help out. I would be like a consultant. Plus, Dad has loads of contacts you would benefit from. Also, I'm going to be heading back to Hogwarts. I can't have much say from Hogwarts, can I?" she said. Fred and George looked at each other. Ron knew that Regan had them. Honestly, he didn't think it was such a bad idea. Regan knew a lot more about business than the twins. But George looked down at the job applications on the table and remembered why they were in Diagon Alley in the first place.

"No," he said. "It's a good idea, Regan, and we're thankful for the offer, but we need to do this for Mum. She didn't want us to go chasing a silly dream forever. She wanted us to make something of our lives."

Fred nodded in agreement, looking sad, but set. Regan looked on exasperated. Ron and Harry just sat back and watched. It was almost entertaining.

"But it isn't a silly dream. If it was, I wouldn't be offering your money or help. Hell, I would be finding you applications. Fred, George, this is a good idea. You could be really great. All the big entrepreneurs started out small. Just think, someday, you could have a company like Zonko's. A store in every wizarding community. More money than you would know what to do with. Your names everywhere. You would be the idols of Hogwarts students for years to come. You would definitely make something of yourselves."

George had a dreamy look in his eyes. Fred, however, kept looking at the job applications. "We need to do this. We need to get real jobs."

"Okay, how about this," Regan said. Ron could almost see the light bulb going on over her head. "I give you two years. If within two years, Weasley's Witching Weezers isn't a household name, I take my money back. You leave the company-I won't hold you to any debt-and get a real, boring, ordinary job."

"Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes," Fred said, but he looked convinced. "Okay. We'll do it." The twins were suddenly grinning like maniacs. Even Ron and Harry couldn't stop themselves from smiling.

"Great. I'll talk to Dad about it tonight. Our lawyer will draw up the contracts. There will have to be contracts, but I promise everything will be just like what we've talked about. You'll have the money within a few days. I'll call Dad's people. They'll get a catalogue together and a mailing list," Regan said. The boys looked at her in shock. They had never seen her so business-like before. "What? What is it?"

"What are you doing after Hogwarts?" Ron asked. "Because I think you've found your calling."

"Actually, I'm thinking doctor. Or maybe writer. Maybe something in public relations. Or maybe art. I could be an actress. Or a dancer. I used to take ballet," she said, her professional manner gone.

"We have to go. We're going to check out Jape's Joke shop, check out the competition," Fred said as the twins got up.

"Thanks for everything, Regan," George said and they were gone.

"That was really great, Regan. I think you just made their day. Or maybe their year," Ron said as they started back towards the entrance to meet Tonks.

"How long have you planned that?" Harry asked.

"A while. The thing is, Fred and George were really there for me. They don't know it, of course, but after Mom.....after all that happened, the house was so sad. Everyone was so depressed, just moping about. But the twins weren't. They did their mourning in private, but around us they were the same twins. They pulled their pranks and made their jokes. They really brightened up the atmosphere. I think they helped everyone in that house get back on track after, after the attack," Regan said quietly. "I wanted to help them and I knew that they were having trouble financially with the joke shop. I had just planned on giving them money, but I think working with them will be fun. Of course, I don't plan on being to involved. It's still their company."

"Still, that was really nice of you," Ron said.

"It was nothing. My dad would have done the same thing. All the twins had to do was ask."

"It wasn't much of a shopping trip," Harry said as they reached the entrance and waited for Tonks.

"No," Regan agreed with regret. "I think I'll go to London with Hermione when she arrives. We'll go shopping in Muggle territory."

"I can't believe this place," Ron said. "I never thought one attack could scare the public so much."

"Sorry, guys, but I don't think we've seen anything yet," Harry said. "I just think it's going to get worse."

"Way to be optimistic Harry," Ron said, forcing a smile, but his fear was apparent on his face. Regan didn't say anything, but she took in what Harry said. She wondered just how bad it would get. With her father on one side, and her brother on the other, her only two family members fighting against each other, she didn't think it would get any better.

"Have you heard from Braydon?" Harry asked hesitantly, as if reading her thoughts. She shook her head.

"Not since that one letter he sent to Hogwarts. The private investigator hasn't found anything out yet. Dad isn't giving up hope, but I have. I don't think we're going to find Braydon until he wants us to find him."

Harry wondered how Regan could do it. She had lost her mother after having her for sixteen years. Unlike Harry, who

lost his mother before he knew her, Regan had known and loved her mother. Now she had also lost her brother, but to a fate

much worse than death. Harry could not understand how Ron or his brothers could go on with their lives. Molly had felt like

his own mother and he knew that the pain he felt with her loss would be magnified a hundred times for Ron. He couldn't

understand how his friends were doing it. He felt a sudden surge of love and respect for his friends. He wished he had their

courage. He felt that he would need in the future.